On Friday 27 February, Old Pangbournian and record-breaking ocean rower Jess Rowe returned to Pangbourne College to share her extraordinary story of adventure, resilience and teamwork. Her visit included a full day engaging with students and a special evening talk open to the wider community.

During the day, Jess met pupils across all age groups, including pupils from Pangbourne Primary School and the College's senior rowers and delivered a keynote talk. She recounted her record-breaking six-month Pacific Ocean crossing with teammate Miriam Payne as part of the Seas The Day ocean rowing team. 

The duo rowed non-stop and unsupported for over 165 days, covering more than 8,200 nautical miles from Peru to Cairns, Australia, becoming the first all-female team to complete a mainland-to-mainland Pacific crossing setting a Guinness World Record. 

In the evening, a public talk welcomed the wider Pangbournian Community, providing a rare opportunity to hear first hand from a world-class adventurer whose journey made global headlines.